Tryon Arts and Crafts (TAC)will host a knife making workshop with bladesmith Gerry Drew on Saturday, Feb. 26 and Sunday, Feb. 27. By the end of the weekend, students will have forged several hunting knife blades and created at least one fully functional tool.

Students will learn to forge, heat treat, temper and grind knife blades that can be attached to a bone, antler or wood handle. The goal of this class is to bring students to a basic understanding of knife design and workmanship in the forge.

Instructor Gerry Drew has been making knives for over 25 years using the stock removal method (start with a flat piece of steel and grind off everything that doesn’t look like a knife). Recently, after attending a forging class at Tryon Arts and Crafts, he developed an interest in the forged knife.

Drew says, “Forging gives a person much more flexibility in designing and building a knife. There are bends, twists and tapers that would never be possible with stock removal.”

Drew’s knives are hard working tools that have been used all over the world by hunters, fishermen and campers. A good number of his knives are purchased by collectors who are only interested in the art of his knives and never cut a thing.

The workshop will run Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Students need to bring lunch, beverages, snacks, protective eyewear, leather gloves and earplugs (if desired) and should wear leather shoes and old clothes.

Advance registration is required. For more information about the instructor or workshop including tuition and supply costs, contact Tryon Arts and Crafts at 828-859-8323 or tryonartsandcrafts@windstream.net.

More details and examples of projects are available on the Tryon Arts and Crafts website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org. There are a limited number of spaces available.

Tryon Arts and Crafts is a non-profit crafts school located at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon and exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone.